Cavewoman, much?Yeah, she’d own that.
The way Henry looked at her, touched her, sent an answering possessiveness through her.She was his.He might be grumpy.He might be a loner, but the man had hidden depths.Henry had a soft heart he kept carefully concealed and was loyal to his friends.They were also steadfast to him.That was obvious in the close friendship he had with Gerard.He’d mentioned another friend.Army buddies, so the strength of the friendship made sense.
And she needed to quieten her busy brain and focus on his touches.Confidence shone in every firm stroke while the passion simmering between them flared into fiery pleasure.He cupped her breasts, kneading and testing their weight, lighting bursts of excitement.One of his hands moved then, sliding down to her hip and holding her firmly.
“I can’t wait to get inside you again,” he whispered, his breath hot against her neck.
“Do it.Do it now,” she encouraged, full of delicious anticipation.Oh, yeah.That eagerness bubbled in her belly and filled her with happiness.
Henry needed no further urging, and he guided his shaft, pushing smoothly into her.A unified groan filled the air, and thankfully, Henry didn’t linger or tease.He shunted in and out of her, his talented fingers caressing her clit and sending her over the edge faster than she could believe.His thrusts became faster, a deep growl emerging from him before he stilled, planted balls-deep inside her.
They stood silent and still as the water poured over them, cooler now.
Maia yawned, and Henry nuzzled her neck.He slipped out of her and stood back.She wobbled slightly, and his arm snapped out to hold her upright.
“It’s still early.Why don’t you wash and go back to bed?I’ll take Juno outside and join you soon.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
The minute Maia hit the mattress, her eyes closed, and she drifted to sleep.She woke suddenly, panic flaring through her until she realized the gaze she felt belonged to Henry.
“Is something wrong?”
“Laura called,” he said, and she belatedly realized he’d partially dressed.
Maia frowned, not having to feign her confusion.“I didn’t hear the phone.”
“It was on vibrate.”
“Oh, there’s a problem?”The chill in his voice and the deadness in his brown eyes made her arms and legs prick with foreboding.
“After your attack, Laura and Charlie canvassed the local bed-and-breakfast places, the motels, and the Airbnbs.”
“Did they find something?”
Henry glowered at her.“Your fiancé.”
Maia jackknifed up and grabbed at the covers when she remembered she was naked.She lifted them to her chest.“What are you talking about?I’m not engaged to anyone.Men are too much damn trouble.”She sprang off the bed and stomped toward her shower.She turned it on cold to scare away her lingering lethargy.Right now, she needed her A-game.
When she entered the kitchen fully dressed fifteen minutes later, Henry leaned against her counter, his hands cupping a mug.Damn, she needed to sort out more furniture.Maia stalked to her coffeemaker, grabbed the first coffee pod to hand, and shoved it into the machine.
“I don’t have a fiancé.What is this person’s name?”
“Samuel Rattray.”
“My ex-boyfriend.We broke up about two months before I left Auckland.I’m insulted that you’d think I’d cheat if I were in a relationship.I’m not a cheater!”
Henry grunted, but his posture relaxed during her haranguing speech.
“You don’t know me well, but you didn’t think to give me the benefit of the doubt or at least ask me before hurling insults against my good character?”Her coffee was ready, and she grabbed the mug.“Where is he?Is Samuel still in Middlemarch?I thought he had a rugby game in Auckland.”
“He’s telling everyone you’re getting married in three months.”
Maia held her temper with difficulty, telling herself that if she were in Henry’s shoes, she’d feel betrayed.That kept her from throwing her hands up in disappointment and stalking off.
“Where is he staying?I don’t know what game he’s playing, but I’ll enlighten him quick-smart.”
“He’s staying at the Middlemarch Bed-and-Breakfast.”
